Entering the 2025 season, the consensus was that this would be a rebuilding year for the Mustangs after losing key players to graduation but after the first scrimmage of the season, it may be the Mustangs are simply reloading. Friday on the campus of UT Martin the Mustangs lined up against last season’s state runner-up in Class 3-A, the Martin Westview Chargers and QB Graham Simpson who has about ten Division 1 offers as he starts his sophomore season.
The Mustangs came up on the short end of the score as the Chargers won the scrimmage 48-35 but the Mustang offense played well, and the defense held its own against one of the better high school QB’s in the nation. The Mustangs ran close to 300 yards for the scrimmage and passed for 104 yards. Simpson completed 21-25 passes for 433 yards in the scrimmage.
The Mustangs Tyreke Hutch scored on a 33-yard run to start the scoring in the scrimmage. Hutch also scored the Mustangs final points of the scrimmage on a 4-yard run. Braylin Dearmon had a great scrimmage as he scored on 4-yard run and a 3-yard run. Dearmon also threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Maddox Holmes and completed 4-7 passes for 104 yards in the scrimmage.
Ethan Rattfield converted all five point after attempts and K’Shun Carter recorded an interception and linebacker Hayes Eubanks recovered a fumble in the contest.
The Mustangs are set to host South Fulton in a scrimmage this Friday at Paul Ward Stadium before participating in the Jamboree at Lexington on August 15. The Mustangs open the season at McKenzie on August 22.
